In 1925, the crude birth rate in South Africa was just under 49 births per thousand people, meaning that almost five percent of the population was born in that year. This figure would follow the country’s trends in fertility, remaining largely unchanged until the 1950s when, following the implementation of apartheid rule in the country in 1948, declines in fertility from the government's family planning programs would lead to the birth rate's rapid decline. Apart from a brief pause in the early-1980s, births rates would decline throughout the second half of the 20th century, falling to just under 24 births per thousand people by 2000. The crude birth rate would see a brief increase in the early 2000s, largely attributed to a diversion of healthcare funding away from contraceptives to funding for treatments for the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the country, but since then, birth rates have resumed their decline, and in 2020, it is estimated that South Africa had a birth rate just under 21 births for every thousand people.

In 2023, the crude birth rate in live births per 1,000 inhabitants in South Africa was 18.78. Between 1960 and 2023, the figure dropped by 21.04, though the decline followed an uneven course rather than a steady trajectory.

Birth rate, crude (per 1,000 people) in South Africa was reported at 18.77 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. South Africa - Birth rate, crude - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on August of 2025.

South Africa ZA: Fertility Rate: Total: Births per Woman data was reported at 2.458 Ratio in 2016. This records a decrease from the previous number of 2.485 Ratio for 2015. South Africa ZA: Fertility Rate: Total: Births per Woman data is updated yearly, averaging 3.924 Ratio from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2016, with 57 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 6.041 Ratio in 1960 and a record low of 2.458 Ratio in 2016. South Africa ZA: Fertility Rate: Total: Births per Woman data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s South Africa – Table ZA.World Bank.WDI: Health Statistics. Total fertility rate represents the number of children that would be born to a woman if she were to live to the end of her childbearing years and bear children in accordance with age-specific fertility rates of the specified year.; ; (1) United Nations Population Division. World Population Prospects: 2017 Revision. (2) Census reports and other statistical publications from national statistical offices, (3) Eurostat: Demographic Statistics, (4) United Nations Statistical Division. Population and Vital Statistics Reprot (various years), (5) U.S. Census Bureau: International Database, and (6) Secretariat of the Pacific Community: Statistics and Demography Programme.; Weighted average; Relevance to gender indicator: it can indicate the status of women within households and a woman’s decision about the number and spacing of children.

While the BRICS countries are grouped together in terms of economic development, demographic progress varies across these five countries. In 2019, India and South Africa were the only BRICS countries with a fertility rate above replacement level (2.1 births per woman). Fertility rates since 2000 show that fertility in China and Russia has either fluctuated or remained fairly steady, as these two countries are at a later stage of the demographic transition than the other three, while Brazil has reached this stage more recently. Fertility rates in India are following a similar trend to Brazil, while South Africa's rate is progressing at a much slower pace. Demographic development is inextricably linked with economic growth; for example, as fertility rates drop, female participation in the workforce increases, as does the average age, which then leads to higher productivity and a more profitable domestic market.

Graph and download economic data for Crude Birth Rate for South Africa (SPDYNCBRTINZAF) from 1960 to 2023 about birth, South Africa, crude, and rate.

South Africa ZA: Birth Rate: Crude: per 1000 People data was reported at 20.981 Ratio in 2016. This records a decrease from the previous number of 21.297 Ratio for 2015. South Africa ZA: Birth Rate: Crude: per 1000 People data is updated yearly, averaging 30.616 Ratio from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2016, with 57 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 40.222 Ratio in 1960 and a record low of 20.981 Ratio in 2016. South Africa ZA: Birth Rate: Crude: per 1000 People data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s South Africa – Table ZA.World Bank: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Crude birth rate indicates the number of live births occurring during the year, per 1,000 population estimated at midyear. Subtracting the crude death rate from the crude birth rate provides the rate of natural increase, which is equal to the rate of population change in the absence of migration.; ; (1) United Nations Population Division. World Population Prospects: 2017 Revision. (2) Census reports and other statistical publications from national statistical offices, (3) Eurostat: Demographic Statistics, (4) United Nations Statistical Division. Population and Vital Statistics Reprot (various years), (5) U.S. Census Bureau: International Database, and (6) Secretariat of the Pacific Community: Statistics and Demography Programme.; Weighted average;

Graph and download economic data for Adolescent Fertility Rate for South Africa (SPADOTFRTZAF) from 1960 to 2023 about 15 to 19 years, fertility, South Africa, and rate.

Adolescent fertility rate (births per 1,000 women ages 15-19) in South Africa was reported at 51.56 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. South Africa - Adolescent fertility rate (births per 1,000 women ages 15-19) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

In 2023, the total fertility rate in children per woman in South Africa was 2.22. Between 1960 and 2023, the figure dropped by 3.89, though the decline followed an uneven course rather than a steady trajectory.

South Africa ZA: UCB Projection: Crude Birth Rate: per 1000 Persons data was reported at 13.500 NA in 2050. This records a decrease from the previous number of 13.600 NA for 2049. South Africa ZA: UCB Projection: Crude Birth Rate: per 1000 Persons data is updated yearly, averaging 20.050 NA from Jun 1985 (Median) to 2050, with 66 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 33.600 NA in 1985 and a record low of 13.500 NA in 2050. South Africa ZA: UCB Projection: Crude Birth Rate: per 1000 Persons data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by US Census Bureau. The data is categorized under Global Database’s South Africa – Table ZA.US Census Bureau: Demographic Projection.

Abstract

The Recorded Live Births (RLB) dataset provides information on all registered live births in South Africa. The RLB dataset is part of a regular series of cumulative releases that is published by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) and based on data collected through the civil registration system. RLB 1998-2023 is the latest release in the series, which replaces and includes the data of the previous release (i.e. RLB 1998-2023 includes the data from RLB 1998-2022). The main objective of this dataset is to outline emerging trends and differentials in birth occurrence and registration, by selected socio-demographic and geographic characteristics, in South Africa over time. Reliable birth statistics are necessary for population health assessment, health policy, service planning and programme evaluation. These data are particularly critical for planning, implementing and monitoring development policies and programmes such as the National Development Plan (NDP) in South Africa, Agenda 2063 at regional level and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at international level.

Geographic coverage

This dataset has national coverage.

Analysis unit

Individuals

Universe

This dataset is based on information on birth occurences from the South African civil registration system. It covers all birth notification forms from the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) for births that occurred from 1998-2023 and that were registered between January 2023 and February 2024. The dataset excludes all births that occurred in South Africa but where the parents were non-South African citizens or not permanent residents.

Kind of data

Administrative records

Mode of data collection

Other

Research instrument

The form used to record live births is the Notice of Birth form of the Department of Home Affairs (Form DHA-24). Previously there were three forms used:

Form BI-24 (for births registered within the first year) Form BI-24/1 (for births registered between a year and 14 years) Form BI-24/15 (for births registered after 15 years or more)

Data appraisal

The Statistics South Africa metadata document mentions two birth forms, however this seems incorrect. There is only one form used, the DHA-24.

Fertility rate, total (births per woman) in South Africa was reported at 2.216 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. South Africa - Fertility rate, total (births per woman) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on August of 2025.

The total fertility rate represents the average number of children that a woman will have over the course of their reproductive years. In South Africa in the early-1920s, the average woman would have 6.5 children over the course of their reproductive years, a rate that would remain fairly constant until 1950. From this point until 2005, South Africa’s fertility rate would drop consistently, and would reach 2.9 children per woman by the beginning of the 21st century. There was a slight increase in fertility in 2005, largely attributed to a diversion of healthcare funding away from contraceptives to funding for treatments for the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the country, however, the fertility rate would again decrease in the years following this. In 2020, the total fertility rate for South Africa is estimated to be just 2.41 children per woman, a rate much lower than most other Sub-Saharan countries.

DATASET: Alpha version 2010, 2012, 2015, 2020, 2025, 2030, and 2035 estimates of numbers of pregnancies per grid square, with national totals adjusted to match national estimates on numbers of pregnancies made by the Guttmacher Institute (http://www.guttmacher.org/). REGION: Africa SPATIAL RESOLUTION: 0.000833333 decimal degrees (approx 100m at the equator) PROJECTION: Geographic, WGS84 UNITS: Estimated pregnancies per grid square MAPPING APPROACH: Tatem AJ, Campbell J, Guerra-Arias M, de Bernis L, Moran A, Matthews Z, 2014, Mapping for maternal and newborn health: the distributions of women of childbearing age, pregnancies and births, International Journal of Health Geographics, 13:2 FORMAT: Geotiff (zipped using 7-zip (open access tool): www.7-zip.org) FILENAMES: Example - BEN2010pregnancies.tif = Benin (BEN) pregnancies count map for 2010 adjusted to match UN national estimates on numbers of pregnancies. DATE OF PRODUCTION: May 2014

Graph and download economic data for Fertility Rate, Total for South Africa (SPDYNTFRTINZAF) from 1960 to 2023 about fertility, South Africa, and rate.

This dataset is about countries per year in Southern Africa. It has 320 rows. It features 3 columns: country, and birth rate.

In 2024, the fertility rate in Africa was *** children per woman. The average number of newborn infants per woman on the continent decreased compared to 2000, when women had approximately **** children throughout their reproductive years. By 2030, fertility in Africa is projected to decline to around *** births per woman, yet it will remain high. The highest fertility rate worldwide Despite its gradually declining rate, fertility in Africa is the highest in the world. In 2023, the average fertility rate on the continent stood at **** children per woman, compared to a global average of **** births per woman. In contrast, Europe and North America were the continents with the lowest proportion of newborns, each registering a fertility rate below two children per woman. Additionally, Africa records the highest fertility rate among the young female population aged 15 to 19 years. In 2022, West and Central Africa had an adolescent fertility rate of nearly *** children per 1,000 girls, the highest value worldwide. Lower fertility in Northern Africa Fertility levels vary significantly across Africa. In 2023, Somalia, Chad, Niger, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the Central African Republic were the countries with the highest fertility rates on the continent. In those countries, women had an average of over *** children in their reproductive years. The number of adolescent girls giving birth also differed within Africa. For instance, the adolescent fertility rate in North Africa stood at around **** children per 1,000 young women in 2023. On the other hand, Sub-Saharan Africa registered a higher rate of approximately **** children per 1,000 girls as of the same year. In general, higher poverty levels, inadequate social and health conditions, and increased infant mortality are some main drivers of higher fertility rates.

South Africa: The number of births per 1000 people, per year: The latest value from is births per 1000 people, unavailable from births per 1000 people in . In comparison, the world average is 0.00 births per 1000 people, based on data from countries. Historically, the average for South Africa from to is births per 1000 people. The minimum value, births per 1000 people, was reached in while the maximum of births per 1000 people was recorded in .

This horizontal bar chart displays birth rate (per 1,000 people) by date using the aggregation average, weighted by population in South Africa. The data is filtered where the date is 2021. The data is about countries per year.